Just a Thought: Preseason panic for 49ers fans

Niner fans are lining up along the Bay Bridge — I mean the water cooler — looking for a compadre to comfort them during this preseason.

A team with Super Bowl aspirations, sinking in the sod at Levi's Stadium?

I did say preseason, didn't I?

Don't throw the remote through the television set. Rationalize. I understand the first-team offense didn't score a touchdown in three preseason games. It was regular-season Raider-like.

Then again, didn't we witness this last year in the preseason?

How many plays did the 49ers run in the preseason from the playbook — five, maybe six from a book that's the size of Mt. Rushmore. No one game-plans in the preseason.

Oh, I have concerns too. For starters, I don't believe this is a Super Bowl-caliber team. But it's got nothing to do with the effort in the preseason.

The 49ers' offense will look different in eight days when the season begins in Dallas. How can it not? It's Dallas.

My concern is more about the defense than offense once Week 1 rolls around.

Arguably the two best defensive players likely won't be on the field as NaVorro Bowman is out at least until midseason and pass rusher Aldon Smith will miss the first nine games after being suspended for violating NFL substance abuse and personal conduct policy.

If the 49ers can't get a pass rush, teams are going to torch an inexperienced defensive backfield. The corners are a big concern right now.

Of course, the bigger concern to the faithful was an anemic offense in the preseason.

Yes, it was bad. That being said, this is an offense that was ranked 24th in the NFL last season. The 49ers are not as explosive as people think. They grind.

Sure, we expect more than two field goals from the first team in four preseason games. I would have liked to have seen Frank Gore rush for positive yards.

Remember, head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball first. Time-consuming drives keep the defense fresh. That will be critical the first half of the season.

That, however, could be a problem with a patched-up offensive line missing Alex Boone, who still hasn't reported to camp, even though he still has two years remaining on his current deal.

Boone had emerged as arguably the 49ers' best offensive lineman last year. His absence has been evident in the preseason. That depth we keep hearing about hasn't shown its face.

How can you not have concerns about Gore, who might be playing his final season? He's a year older and likely a step slower. He needs a seam to create something.

And of course, there's quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who still throws missiles in traffic and watches balls batted in the air. He still hasn't learned what touch means on a pass. He's been entrenched in this position since Week 8 of the 2012 season. No more excuses.

How much more can the offense be simplified?

Unfortunately, Kaepernick can't go up against Green Bay every week.

That pass he threw in the end zone last year in the NFC title game isn't an interception if it had any arc to it.

He's being paid to throw the ball downfield.

Remember, Alex Smith led this team to an NFC title game as well with less talent in 2011, and was two muffed punts away from taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Kaepernick is supposed to be the difference maker with his athleticism. The consistency week in and week out, though, has yet to show. I still see some of those bad habits leaking out — even if it is preseason.

In defense of Kaepernick, it's difficult to hit your targets when the pocket continues to collapse.

Again, the preseason means virtually nothing. The year Detroit went 0-16 in 2008, it was 4-0 in the preseason.

Another double-digit season in the win column, though, is not a lock. I see nine wins at best, which won't win that division. Remember, this division has the reigning Super Bowl champions in the Pacific Northwest and an 11-win team in the desert.

Jeez, will fans be begging for a return to Candlestick if things get off to a soggy start? Some already are with the temperatures in Santa Clara much warmer. You miss that fog and ocean breeze, don't you?

Only the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have been to four straight NFC or AFC title games since the Super Bowl era.